My First Film Movie Review – Messy, Moving, And Marvelously Meta

Last Updated on October 25, 2025 by Movie Revew TV

Story & Setting

My First Film is a story about a young director named Vita. She’s 23 and making her first movie. Vita tries to lead a team of friends and exes in upstate New York.

The film is set near Lavender Hill. This place reminds us of the director’s hometown. It makes the movie feel very personal.

Vita’s story is told in a unique way. The film has uneven scenes and voiceovers that mix fact and fiction. We see Vita trying to get her ideas accepted and facing challenges on set.

These moments show the real struggles of making a movie. The film wants us to feel the uncertainty Vita faces.

Performances

Odessa Young as Vita

Odessa Young plays Vita with a lot of heart. She shows Vita’s ups and downs in a believable way. Young’s small actions, like a shaking voice, make us feel Vita’s emotions.

In one scene, Young shows a big change in just one cut. This shows her amazing range and carries the movie’s feelings.

Supporting Cast

The supporting cast is great, especially Devon Ross as Dina. Dina is Vita’s lead actress and a big support. Philip Ettinger, Cole Doman, and Jane Wickline also shine in their roles.

Together, they make the movie feel real. They show the ups and downs of making a low-budget film. Their performances make the story even more compelling.

• Performance highlights: Young’s breakthrough moments in rehearsal and confrontation scenes; Ross’s quiet, steadying responses; small ensemble beats that reveal the crew’s fragile alliances.
• Why it matters: These performances turn a messy, autobiographical piece into a human story about collaboration, failure, and stubborn love for the work.

My First Film is for those who love character-driven movies. The acting is what makes the film stand out.

Direction & Cinematography

Visual Tone

Zia Anger’s direction makes the film feel real. It mixes documentary and staged scenes for a unique feel. The camera work and lighting bring us into the chaos of the shoot.

For example, a rehearsal turns into a real argument. This shows how close the camera gets to the action. The cinematographer, Jane Wickline, uses different styles to make personal moments feel real.

Writing

The script is like a mix of memories and dreams. It doesn’t follow a normal story line. This shows Vita’s mixed-up view of things.

The script is honest about the hard parts of making a movie. It talks about the emotional cost and the challenges of being a young filmmaker in a tough industry.

Key techniques: handheld camera, natural lighting, intercut footage and videos, overlapping voiceovers, jump cuts that favor emotional truth over narrative tidy-ness.

Themes & Symbolism

My First Film talks about art, loss, and the cost of making work. It shows Vita’s creative journey and her body’s experiences. Pregnancy and abortion are big themes, not just plot points.

Vita’s secret pregnancies and their effects are shown in scenes about caring and failure. These moments show life’s fragility and strength.

Symbolism is shown in small, touching ways. Vita’s mom’s mime scenes connect fertility to art’s cycles. A simple gesture means creativity, loss, and rebirth.

Small things like a reel of footage keep the story going. They show how creation leads to loss, and loss to new work.

The film also criticizes the film industry. It shows how women’s stories are often ignored. By focusing on production struggles, it highlights the costs of making films for women.

This makes the film a feminist statement. It’s a personal story and a commentary on who tells stories in cinema.

Content note: The film deals with pregnancy, abortion, and caregiving. Some viewers might find it sensitive.

This film is part of a tradition of intimate feminist indie cinema. It explores authorship and identity through personal footage. If you like films where life and fiction meet, My First Film is for you.

Music & Atmosphere

Score

The score is sparse and uses electronic sounds and sad tones. It adds to the quiet moments without taking over. It’s like a breath in the film, adding to the emotional beats.

Where big music might overwhelm, these sounds are subtle. They highlight moments and fill the quiet after arguments. Check the 20 Best Underrated Sci-Fi Movie Villains Worth Revisiting from moviereviewtv and also the I:Scream A Minty Musical Movie Review

Production Design

The design is simple and honest. It uses everyday places and salvaged props. This makes the world feel real and lived-in.

Real-life videos and family footage add to the film’s collage-like feel. It makes the film feel like a work of art and a story about making art.

• Atmosphere cues: natural sounds, minimal score, handheld tones, visible lighting, found props, embedded clips.
• Where it matters: sound and visuals make small moments big in the film’s emotional story.

Final Verdict

Rating: 4/5 — My First Film is a bold, personal look at making art. It shows how a young woman finds her voice. The story is messy and layered, but it’s worth it for those who love making movies.

Who should watch this: If you like small, indie films, or if you’re a filmmaker. Also, if you enjoy watching actors more than the story.

Alternate picks: Try Joanna Hogg’s films or Kelly Reichardt’s movies, Jay Kelly movie and Movies Like Silver Linings Playbook – Honest Mental Health Dramas to Stream. They also talk about art, failure, and making movies.

Check local listings or festival schedules for screenings; the film’s production and distribution details will determine where it’s playing.